European Union Security Sector Reform Missions: The Case of Guinea-Bissau- ESR no 38

April 2008 saw Guinea-Bissau become host to the European Union's (EU) most recent Security Sector Reform Mission , which will assist with the implementation of the country's National Security Strategy (NSS) . The Mission will face a number of obstacles including military saturated political institutions, a weak civil society and an inveterate drug-trafficking problem. This article will frame the EU's objectives in Guinea-Bissau, country-specific issues that will affect the Mission, the political turbulence leading up to the mission and its chances of long-term success.